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Small biz MoneySaving

Archives for July 2011

Charging per mile
I have a 10 mile radius for a service I provide but anything after that is charable by the mile. I was thinking of the basic 40p per mile over the initial 10. Would i need to charge to the destination only or would I be able to charge for the return journey as well. Obviously if I have to travel 50 miles having to come…
Help and advice with a simple business idea.
Hi, please could anyone give me any advice, i want to start a scrap metal collection/ disposal business , i know there is plenty of people going round the streets at the moment and that is my idea , just a simple one man business with a vehicle to carrier the waste. Thing is i want to do it all by the book so anything…
Business starter info help, pls check!
Hello All, I want to start my own business, but it looks like i don't know which way to choose and how to do it :rudolf: Mainly all the job will do I and my wife. Business type is customer service, maybe some selling of product twice a month. Should we just start to offer those services as self-employed. If yes, please…
Will a bank give a loan to set up a casino?
Hi guys, I've always wanted to open a casino one day but I have little money or collateral to fund it entirely myself. Can anybody tell me if a bank would lend money to set up such a venture. Now I know you need permission from the local council and be granted a license, but lets just assume that I already have this. What…
Calling Fellow Etsians
Hi Everyone I've just found this sub-forum and would like to extend a hello to everyone, especially those with Etsy accounts who sell like me :) Anyone out there? I thought that it might be good to share marketing tips etc
Bastwards
Hello I'm after some advice and opinions please. I've been self employed for 25 years and employ a couple of people. I supply restaurants, mostly large chains. A small chain of 6 restaurants (A) which is profitable was sold by a much larger also profitable chain of 130 restaurants (B). (A) has said it will only pay me for…
does this constitute trading?
We are starting a business running a mobile fish and chip van. The current owner of the van is delivering it to us at the end of August and he will spend a day with us showing us how the van operates etc. We want to do this in 'anger' and serve customers, but we will not be in a positon to start trading for several months.…
What questions should I ask a business advisor?
I am in the process of trying to start up a cafe and have a preliminary meeting with a startups advisor from the local Enterprise Agency next week. He's asked me to take my business plan and everything I have put together so far, which is a fair amount as I've been working on it since March and have done quite a bit of…
My gym concept(s)
Hey guys. I would appreciate your feedback on these ideas for a gym. 1) Instead of a fixed monthly contract that means you pay for the gym whether you go or not, I thought about offering a points system instead. How it would work is that you buy a set number of points in advance like 100, 500 or 1000 with ten points…
Garden Clearence
Been rattling my brains for a while now about a business idea, Yesterday I was asked to do someone a favour and cut back their overgrown garden. When I mean overgrown I mean more like a jungle. Weeds and brambles up to 6 ft etc. Whilst doing this I got thinking. I have done various things like this as favours for people…
Retired but want to start hobby/business
I'm retired with only a State Pension. I would like to sell handmade jewellery as a sort of hobby/business and a young friend has offered to put together a website rather than me trailing round trying to sell. I don't really want to open a business bank account and go the whole hog, but if I gave the website a name, how…
Sole Trader starting 2nd business??
Hi all, My husband registered as self employed last year and started a business (Consultancy) as a sole trader. The business has had interest and he has made a small profit in the first year. Thing is he has had an idea about possibly starting up another business in the same field but offering other services than just…
Pocket Landline / One Net Express Alternatives?
Can anyone recommend any alternatives to Orange's Pocket Landline or Vodafone One Net Express? I'm basically after a local geographic number to be routed to a mobile phone without a massive tie in period (ideally rolling monthly). I know there are a few companies doing VOIP routing them to mobile but aren't sure how…
Chinese Contract Payment Logistics
Hi, I am not sure that this is right place to be posting this kind of question, but hopefully there will be somone on here that can help out. I have been a contractor numerous times in the UK mostly working within big Financial or Public Sector firms, these have all been done working through an agency so the agency would…
Setting up a premium text number?
I asked recently on here about trying to run a raffle online to cast a larger net, but you guys helped me find out that I need a gambling license for that! So I was thinking would it maybe be worthwhile setting up a premium text line, ask a simple question and have people text in the answer to be entered into the draw...…
Raising Finance for an existing business
Hi All There are some similar threads / questions on this, but none seem to give a clear answer. I have just lost my job - I have been employed in various positions for the past 25 years, all within retail. My wife and I own our own home. We want to buy a local health-food store, which has been advertised, and have looked…
New business help?
Hi I was wondering if anybody could offer some advice. I have 7 years of experience working within the spray tanning industry I have been employed as a spray therapist but am currently starting uni in September. The company I work for offers sprays for £20.00 or two for £35.00. I was thinking about doing this part time…
Pros and cons of setting up on business from a hobby?
Hello all, I've been doing photography as a hobby for the past 10 years and have been thinking of starting up a business working on weekends to suppliment my main income from the 9-5 Mon-Fri job I have. I don't expect it to make a significant income but more a hobby that pays. I've got a few questions that I hope people…
Are Charity bags worthwhile to the charity?
Have had a bag put through the door this morning from a charity (it is a charity, not one of those scam companies) and its a charity I would like to give to. It says on the bag that the charity gets at least £50 for a tonne. Is this a good deal for the charity?
How to set up a free website... kind of!
I will do my utmost to be brief. Never easy for me - and I hope that someone clever will actually take this idea up! Whilst I know this is not groundbreaking, nor original, I have spent hours on google and come up with one real hit, that is doing this SO badly in my opinion, (and seems to be 3 years in with no real…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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Small biz MoneySaving

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